, 1887-07-17
A LASSOING LESSON.
INCIDENT IN THE LIFE OF AN
EDITORIAL PHILOSOPHER.

n queer Looking Ola Gentleman with
Note Book in Hand-Curious to Know
Something About the ~Lasso-nIaking
an Experimental Throw.
In 1859 | was a rancher in Santa Clara
valley, California, engaged in the cultivation
of grain, horses, pigs, chickens, and other
domestic produce. 1t was in the Berryessa
district, a few miles northeast Of San Jose,
md seven miles from Alyiso, the head of San
Francisco bay navigation.
One day, early in August, l was out in the
mountains east of the valley, hunting after
my favorite saddle horse. l was on foot and
carried n "~riatta" in my hand-n genuine
Spanish lasso made of rawhide, same as is
universally made by Mexicans, native Cali
fornians and "vaqueros" generally. All l
had to do when l found my horse was to
throw the riatta over his head, take a half
hitch around his nose, leap upon his back and
ride home. But l did not find my horse.
After a tramp of three or tours l was get
ting back homeward, hungry and tired. AsI
passed down through the foothills just east of
Niles ranch, l spied somebody sitting on a
rock. He was a queer looking gentleman, of
medium stature, with a gray coat, light felt
hat, white whiskers away under his chin and
a peculiar look generally. He had a note
book in his hand, and was so busily engaged
in writing that he did not notice my approach
until l was within a few feet of him.
To my salutation of "Good evening, sir"
he courteously responded; then said: "Are
you acquainted around here, sirF'
ayes, sir, for some years past. 1 am ranch
ing just down below yonder, where you see
that big evergreen tree"
The whole valley lay spread out in pastoral
panoramic beauty, checkered off into neatly
fenced farms, with lovely groves, orchards,
vineyards, gardens, cottage dwellings and
farmhouses scattered all over the landscape.
Now, that's Alviso," said he, shut what
road is that running south from it among
the treesp
"That,s the Santa Clara road, sir, and the
town you see there among the trees is Santa
Clara, where the old Mission church is, and
the old orchard, established by the Jesuit
fathers 100 years ago"
TAKING DOWN ITEMS
He noted this down, and asked: whats
that heavy row of trees beyond Santa Clara,
to the southwark
''That's the Alameda, a beautifully shaded
road three miles long, from Santa Clara to
the pueblo or city, of San Jose. 1t has two
rows OF shade trees on each side, planted
about 100 years ago by the native Indians,
under the direction of the priests. Every
Sunday this road used to be swept clean, and
the holy fathers, or padres, with their congre-
CATION, used to march in procession from the
pueblo to the church at the Mission for divine
service. Tha.'s San Jose you see off to the
left.n
eyes, / know. L was there yesterday. It's
n very nice town"
He eyed me somewhat c%uriously, and re-
marked: That's what they call a lasso.
isn't itP'
ayes, sir; I've been out hunting after a
stray horse, but couldn't find him, so Pm just
getting home. I'll get after him on horse
back tomorrow"
"But l always thought the lasso had to be
used exclusively by a mar on horseback.
How would you run a horse down on foot and
catch him with that roper
"Dear me, mo-; l wouldn't run after the
horse at all. I'd just approach him quietly,
speak to him gently and try to pet him, and
slip the rope over his neck. But il he tried to
play shy I'd just throw the loop of the lasso
open, this way, and drag it along behind me
thus, watch my chance, and give it a side cast
this way, getting it over his head before he
had a chance to dodge"
The old gent had been sitting sort of side
WAYS on the rock all this time, from some
peculiar reason, as he subsequently explained,
but right here he arose, laid down his note
book exclaiming: That's good; in fact, 1
may say cleverly done. If you can lasso a
wild Texas steer as wei HIS 1Ou uiu bnuL DuSu
all you have to do is to go down into Colorado
or New Mexico and make your fortune. Let
me try that"
IAN right, sir; hold it just this way and
swing it a few times around your head after
the regular horseback style, and give it a cast
over the critters horns, like this"
E%MINENTLY SUCCESSFUL.
~ see," said the old chap, with an interest
ed twinkle of his pleasant gray aye. "Here
goes for you; you just stand still"
His cast was eminently successful, for he
caught himself by the left leg and right
shoulder.
"Bravolr said 1; "that's a fancy cast to
catch the animal by the shank. 1t takes an
experienced vaquero to do that. If you
hadn'b raised your hoof just as you threw you
couldn't have done it. That's a chance they
have to watch"
"All right; but see here now, just imagine
me a bullock, and I'll hold up my arms this
way like horns"
aust so, and you just buck around like n
Wild steer in a corral" The old fellow did
1rk himself around some, but with a scien-
aic whirl or two of the lasso l let go and
caught him very near around the waist.
"Thatrl do" shouted he, as l gave the lasso
} "A lively jerk to make him realize the situa-
tlm. you'll do; you can go home"
Thank you, sir; we've had a little fun; and
/ now may l ask your nameP
"Oh, yes, certainly. It's Greeley; Horace
Greeley"
1.-THE DEVIL"
"Oh, no, my dear boy; it's only me-. Shall
be glad to meet you again some time. Good
evening""
"Good evening" responded 1 us l turned
} homeward, musing over the queer adventure
and the fact that l had actually interviewed
and practically lassoed the eminent philoso-
} pher and renowned editor Of The New York
Tribune, Horace Greeley.
An evening or two afterward l attended a
public lecture he delivered from a stand
= erected on the main street of San Jose to an
immense audience. He was suffering con-
I siderably from lameness, the result of numer.
GUS boils, which he explains on page $50 of
his "Recollections OF a Busy Life."-Chicago
Times.
Hercdity In handwriting.
Do you believe in heredity in handwriting
A friend advocates the theory to me with
much show OF reason. His life has been q
= long one, and he says that now, in noticing